During the last year Maxton Manufacturing again made the decision to invest further in their commitment to quality by completing an upgrade of its product test facility at the end of March 2011 in Minden, NV. This upgrade to a custom PLC automated valve testing system and all new mechanical hardware components increased their valve testing precision and accuracy to an even higher standard.
The PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. The hardware combinations include 7 elevator test stands that offer a range from 3-360 GPM, pressure from 10-1000 PSI, and jacks from 2”-8”. “This latest advancement offers growth capabilities to maximize our dependable valve performance over the long-term for our customers,” said Billy Shrum R & D Mechanical Designer.
As many are aware, a significant part of Maxton’s commitment to quality stem from similar past investments in the continuous development of their computerized product test facility in 1995. This evolvement brought them from manual operated switches into a DAQ relay logic controller system. The implementation of a PLC system was the natural next step. Inspection and testing of each valve at every stage of preparation insures Maxton’s quality production of safe and reliable hydraulic elevator control valves.
So, how does this PLC evolution benefit Maxton customers specifically? Three points to mention are accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
- The advanced plotting software reveals even the slight flaw or discrepancy in valve operation to the technician for immediate cure resulting in better out of the box product performance and dependability.
- Technician efficiency is increased with the automation allowing for simultaneous actions to be completed keeping costs and pricing as low as possible.
- Lastly, Maxton now can store all valve trace (performance graphs) files documenting test runs of valve performance prior to leaving the facility.
“That leaves our customers with the peace of mind and certainty that they are buying the highest quality product available,” said Karl Keller Marketing Director.
